Box Score | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
Tennessee | 7 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 24 |
A game for the ages!
Tennessee-Georgia. A game that has been streaky as ever. Tennessee last beat the bulldogs back in 2009. That was a 34-14 win in Knoxville. So from 2009 to 2023 Georgia as dominated and owned Tennessee. Fourteen years ago was the last time a Vol tasted the sweet ambrosia of victory.
This was a special day Tennessee. They had invited 5 local recruits to come watch the Vols play Georgia.
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Here is the list of potential Vol players:
QB Patrick Herman from Manchester, TN a 5*
CB Will Barber from Elizabethton, TN a 4*
TE Jeff Day from Brownsville, TN a 4*
MLB Lawrence Butler from Henderson, TN a 4*
T Marcus Kemoeatu from Columbia, TN a 3*
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The game in Knoxville was a wet night kickoff. Tennessee fans came out in droves and managed to sell the place out making Neyland Stadium, a place to be feared. The crowd did help Tennessee tremendously. Georgia was on their 10 yard line and they were calling an audible and evidently their wide receiver did not hear the call change. So Matt Wade goes back to pass and throws a strike right into Marcus Moore's hands and he raced back 10 yards for the touchdown. Good ole Marcus couldn't believe he had caught his first interception in his career, so he was very excited on his celebration.
Georgia was not very happy on that and hit Tennessee in the mouth on a 28 yard touchdown strike. Tennessee decided to bring in ole Cedric Washington to handle quarterbacking duties for the game, which he had a great time doing. He had a beautiful option run to set Tennessee up in field goal position as we were going into halftime leading 10-7.
In the second half, it would be an epic battle. Georgia got a fast start and popped Tennessee in the mouth again on a 45 pass from Wade to Phillips. However, old time Tennessee smash mouth football took over as Justin Smith hit Georgia's soft spot and made a 29 yard touchdown dash in the early part of the fourth. This gave Tennessee a 21-14 lead.
Georgia was jealous of this and had a grand rushing display as well going 77 yards on 5 plays to tie the game. Alas UGA had shot their wad too soon giving Tennessee plenty of time to eat clock and manage a points drive. Then a crucial 3rd down play was stopped by Georgia and it would put Tennessee 57 yards away from possible three points.
Rain, muddy conditions, wind in the Vols favor were the factors that senior kicker Jake Barr faced. Calmly Coach Batten called a timeout with 2 minutes left in the game and talked with Jake for a good few minutes. The talk seemed to work as he barely hit a 57 yard field goal. Neyland stadium once again roared at this amazing accomplishment for the Nashville-Davidson native.
Giving the ball back to Georgia with under 1:50 left in the game, it was key that the first string defense would be at it's peak. Facing a B- Georgia offense, it seemed almost impossible that Tennessee could finally beat Georgia. However, the crowd energized and made the Vols have a 12th man, the Orange Nation once again roared with noise like it once did. Fans seemed to pour out every ounce of energy they had on that final Georgia drive, they did not want their team to suffer 15 straight losses. No, the Volunteer faithful came alive and showed why they used to be the toughest place to play in all the land. Georgia was clearly befuddled at midfield, where the most die hard Vol fans make their presence felt.
Key play of the game, Fred Childs had disrupted a sure first down pass to make it fourth and six for the Bulldogs. Coach Batten called a timeout to rally the first string and let them catch their breath. He seemed to get in the middle of the huddle and make the players want to stop them this one last time. Neyland Stadium became louder than it was earlier in the drive. All 109,000 fans were making their presence felt, Georgia senior QB Matt Wade was very disturbed by a venue that he once made it his regular comfy home. As the ball was snapped Fred Childs broke a block from a Georgia lineman and raced at Matt, and Matt was so afraid he threw the ball as a lateral and cost Georgia the game!
Seeing this, the fans went absolutely crazy. It became a deafening roar as fans started to celebrate three kneel downs by Mark Mitchell to seal the deal and give Tennessee its FIRST victory over Georgia in 14 years! Fans once again tore down the goal posts and rushed the field.
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"What can you say about this team? A bunch of no-talent kids playing with heart and desire like that I've never seen. They remind me of the 1985 Sugar Vols. I want to thank the fans for coming out and making the difference in a Vol win and a Vol loss. It is one of many specials years for the Vol nation. We are coming back and we WILL be a force to be reckoned with." Said a confident Coach Batten.
Players of the Game
Game Statistics | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Georgia | Tennessee |
First Downs | 14 | 14 |
Total Offense | 296 | 287 |
Rushes-YDS | 23-157 | 44-287 |
Passing YDS | 139 | 0 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Total Yards | 368 | 346 |
T.O.P. | 11:10 | 16:50 |